Laundry bag for shoelaces

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a shoelaces laundry bag made of a net-like material, which protects shoelaces from entangling in the washing machine agitator. The shoelaces laundry bag is preferably of rectangular shape and comprises an opening at the top end, a compression-type fastening mechanism with a zipper-type handle that snaps in place to hold the shoelaces laundry bag closed. The shoelaces laundry bag is three-dimensional and has a side dimension with a supporting fabric. The shoelaces laundry bag can be made of natural or synthetic material, which is appropriate for washing and drying. The zipper and fasteners can be made of plastic or any synthetic material.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPPLICATION

None

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to laundry bags that can be usedduring washing and drying cycles, and more particularly to a laundry bagmade of a net-like material, which protects shoelaces from entangling inthe washing machine agitator.

Many garments requiring washing are of such delicate structure orfragile materials that they require protection during the washingoperation, such as, for example, curtains, silk or lace garments, nylonstockings, and runners of various types. These garments are likely tobecome entwined or twisted among other articles being washed or in theagitator or other equipment of the washing machine itself.

A number of devices have been developed in the prior art for thoroughmachine laundering of such articles and mesh bags are an example of sucha device. These mesh bags are conventionally constructed of mesh nylonor similar material. Moreover, factors such as bag capacity, handlingefficiency, wear resistance, and ability to withstand frequent andrepeated washing of the bag itself as well as adequate fastening meansto securely retain articles therein without sustaining damage whichmight occur if the articles were caught by a zipper or snap type closurehave been considered.

For example, U.S. Pub. No. 20030231810 to Durney et al. discloses adevice for holding laundry, comprising a strap with two ends, a fastenerfor fastening the ends to each other, and a mesh bag having anadjustable opening connected to said strap. U.S. Pat. No. 6,478,464 toMiller is similar to Durney in that it discloses a laundry retentiondevice comprising a strap, a fastener, and a mesh bag having are-sealable cord-lock fastener. However, these devices are structurallydifferent from the embodiments of the present invention wherein thereare no straps. Moreover, the compression type-fastening device of thepresent invention is different from the fastening mechanisms adopted inthe above devices.

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,536,952 to Hsieh, a laundry net for washing machinesis described. This device is in the shape of an orb, comprising supporttubes inserted into two sewing seams of the net, and their ends arelinked with connectors to form a space that accommodates laundry. Thisdevice is particularly suited to fabrics such as cotton and nylon toeffectively prevent them from generating lint and being tangled.Although of a similar purpose, this device has structural distinctionscompared to the device of the present invention and appears sufficientlydifferent. U.S. Pat. No. 4,630,312 to Milstein discloses an articlecarrier for use in washing and drying machines to maintain delicatefabrics such as nylon hose and the like. It comprises a rectangularpocket of open mesh material, pleated where it joins a Velcro closure.However, the pleats and closure mechanism distinguish this device fromthe embodiments of the present invention.

Further, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,010,785 to Patik, a personal clothing bagfor washing machines is disclosed, and includes front and rear meshpanel portions with an outward extension flap folded over the other sideand sewn to the marginal edges of the bag. The central portion of theflap is free and serves to allow material to be inserted and removedfrom the bag. However, this device doesn't seal at the top, but ratherrelies on the tensile strength of the bag to keep it closed. U.S. Pat.No. 2,602,482 to Lyon discloses a bag similar to the above devices, butwith a snap or zipper closure. However, this closure doesn't extendacross the entire top surface of the bag, but rather occupies thecentral portion thereof. Moreover, this device is composed entirely ofmesh material with the snaps or zipper affixed directly to the mesh.

Therefore, it is the principle object of the present invention toovercome the shortcomings in the prior art and to provide a laundry bagmade of a net-like material, which protects shoelaces from entangling inthe washing machine agitator.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry bag,wherein the closure mechanism consists of a compression closure with azipper-type handle that snaps in place to hold the laundry bag closed.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a laundry bagthat has a side dimension with supporting fabric.

These and other objects will become apparent from the accompanyingdrawings, description, and appended claims which follow.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to a laundry bag made of a net-likematerial, which protects shoelaces from entangling in the washingmachine agitator. The closure mechanism consists of a compressionclosure with a zipper-type handle that snaps in place to hold theshoelaces laundry bag closed. The shoelaces laundry bag isthree-dimensional and has a side dimension with a supporting fabric.

Dirty shoelaces are secured in the shoelaces laundry bag and can gothrough a washing cycle without the shoelaces entangling or windingunderneath the washing machine agitator. Once the wash cycle iscompleted, the shoelaces can be removed and hung up to dry, or thelaundry bag may be placed in a clothes dryer to dry the contents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a front view of a shoelaces laundry bag in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the shoelaces laundry bag of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the shoelaces laundry bag of FIG. 1.

FIGURES—REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   10 . . . Shoelaces Laundry Bag-   11 . . . Net-like Material-   12A . . . Right-side Edge-   12B . . . Left-side Edge-   13 . . . Bottom End-   14 . . . Top opening-   15 . . . Zipper Mechanism-   16 . . . Female Buckle-   17 . . . Male Buckle-   18 . . . Zipper-type Handle-   19 . . . Fabric

DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of the shoelaceslaundry bag of the present invention, which protects shoelaces fromentangling in the washing machine agitator, is illustrated and generallyindicated as 10 in FIG. 1. The shoelaces laundry bag 10 comprises anet-like, mesh, or micro-fiber material 11 that is spread across thelength and height of the laundry bag 10. The laundry bag 10 can also bemade of screen, fabric, or similar materials known by an ordinarilyskilled artisan to allow for the washing and drying of shoelaces placedinside the laundry bag 10. The laundry bag 10 is preferably ofrectangular shape and has two edges 12A and 12B and a bottom 13.

The laundry bag 10 has an opening 14 at the top and a “zipper”-typefastening mechanism 15 that is used to close the opening 14. The closuremechanism, as seen in FIG. 2, consists of a compression closurecomprising a conventional female buckle 16 secured to one end of the topportion of the laundry bag 10, and a mating, conventional, male buckle17 secured to a zipper-type handle 18. The male buckle 17 is joined tothe female buckle 16 with the help of the zipper-type handle 18 andsnaps in place to hold the laundry bag 10 closed.

The dimensions of the laundry bag 10 are approximately six to seveninches in length, four to seven-and-three fourths inches in height, andhalf to three-fourths inches in width. Although these dimensions arepreferred examples, other dimensions may be included as necessarywithout departing from the scope of the invention, and may depend on thevolume of the material to be washed and dried.

As shown in FIG. 3, a supporting fabric 19 is provided along the widthof the laundry bag 10. The supporting fabric helps the bag maintain athree-dimensional structure as it is being laundered. The laundry bag 10can be made of natural or synthetic material, which is appropriate forwashing and drying. While the zipper 15 and fasteners 16, 17, and 18 canbe made of plastic or any synthetic material. Although these materialsare preferred examples, other materials having similar properties andcharacteristics may be included as necessary.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shownand described, various modifications and substitutions may be madethereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention has beendescribed by way of illustration and not limitation.

All features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanyingclaims, abstract, and drawings, may be replaced by alternative featuresserving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly statedotherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each featuredisclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent orsimilar features.

While specific apparatus has been disclosed in the precedingdescription, it should be understood that these specifics have beengiven for the purpose of disclosing the principles of the presentinvention and that many variations thereof will become apparent to thosewho are versed in the art. Therefore, the scope of the present inventionis to be determined by the appended claims.

Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for”performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specificfunction, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause asspecified in 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 6. In particular, the use of“step of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisionsof 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 6.

1. A laundry bag for washing and drying delicate structure or fragilematerial garments, comprising; a net-like or mesh material stitched intoa three dimensionally rectangular shape, with a front and back mainportion, and three side portions; an adjustably openable and closeableopening on the top side of the laundry bag; a fastening mechanism tosecure said opening of the laundry bag closed; a locking mechanism tosecure the fastening mechanism in a closed position; and a supportingfabric provided along either side of the laundry bag to maintain a threedimensional shape.
 2. The laundry bag of claim 1, wherein said fasteningmechanism is a compression type fastening made of a malleable materialsuch as soft plastic.
 3. The laundry bag of claim 1, wherein saidfastening mechanism is a conventional zipper type fastening, made of anon-corrosive metal, or a firm synthetic material such as hard plastic.4. The laundry bag of claim 1, wherein the fastening mechanism containsa zipper-type handle, and said handle operates in conjunction with areceptacle to lock the fastening mechanism in a closed position.
 5. Thelaundry bag of claim 4, wherein the zipper-type handle comprises aconventional male buckle that snaps into place with a mating femalebuckle, which is secured to one end of the top portion of the laundrybag to hold the laundry bag closed.
 6. The laundry bag of claim 1,wherein said laundry bag is a shoelaces laundry bag and protectsshoelaces from entangling in the washing machine agitator.
 7. Thelaundry bag of claim 1, whereby the laundry bag is three-dimensional andapproximately has dimensions of 6 to 7 inches length, 4 to 7.75 inchesheight, and 0.5 to 0.75 inches width.
 8. The laundry bag of claim 1,wherein said zipper and buckles are made of plastic or any syntheticmaterial.
 9. The laundry bag of claim 1, wherein said laundry bag ismade of natural or synthetic material that is appropriate for washingand drying.
 10. A method of cleaning shoelaces, or other similarmaterials using the laundry bag of claim 1, wherein said shoelaces orother similar materials are inserted into the bag, the bag is closedusing a fastening mechanism, and the fastening mechanism is locked inposition; the laundry bag is then washed, thereby cleaning the contents.